View Full Version : Reference Audio Slim Devices Transporter High Performance Mods and Rebuilds.
http://www.referenceaudiomods.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SDTransporter&Category_Code=MODS&Product_Count=44
Personally, I'm waiting for the Ryberg Electronics mods...
ezkcdude
2007-02-08, 13:09
I wouldn't recommend any of those mods, especially at those prices, and especially after reading,
Replace ALL Analog output stage opamps from the gritty sounding 5534's to the Analog Devices AD825 opamps for a drastic change in performance.
Drastic? That doesn't even sound good. Why would anyone second guess the folks at SD, who could've easily used AD825 in the first place. Heck, why slum it with AD825? At those prices, why not use OPA627 or AD8610? It was their (SD's) design decision to use the 5534's, and I think they've stated elsewhere on this forum that they had good reason.
Personally, I'm waiting for the Ryberg Electronics mods...
I would imagine adding the Bead Condenser (model #: AB-619), may be the solution for those who want squeezebox to make cake.
It was their (SD's) design decision to use the 5534's, and I think they've stated elsewhere on this forum that they had good reason.
I couldn't believe they disable the super regulators, in order to add off-board "Audiocom PPR2 Ultra High performance discrete voltage regulation circuit for even far less noise and tigher [sic] voltage regulation to improve the music.."
That, IMHO, absolutely proves that no matter what Sean specs, the modders will be able to improve upon it (yet ironically, they will likely never have a device on the cover of sterophile :-)
Re. the 5534, I seem to recall Sean saying he had help designing from the AKM engineers, which would make sense, as it's used in the AK4396 data sheet.
Re. the 5534, I seem to recall Sean saying he had help designing from the AKM engineers, which would make sense, as it's used in the AK4396 data sheet.
As far as I'm aware, they are also the staple of mixing desk designers too !!
Craig
The new National chip looks like a good mod-swap candidate, though... (http://www.national.com/pf/LM/LME49710.html)
I wouldn't recommend any of those mods, especially at those prices, and especially after reading,
Drastic? That doesn't even sound good. Why would anyone second guess the folks at SD, who could've easily used AD825 in the first place. Heck, why slum it with AD825? At those prices, why not use OPA627 or AD8610? It was their (SD's) design decision to use the 5534's, and I think they've stated elsewhere on this forum that they had good reason.
I agree with you 100%...but now look at the specs on this beauty from Analog Devices. 140dB ripple rejection and 1 nano Volt / SQRT(HZ) @ 1kHz noise, 140 dB CMMR ... looks promising...
http://www.analog.com/UploadedFiles/Data_Sheets/AD8599.pdf
I agree with you 100%...but now look at the specs on this beauty from Analog Devices. 140dB ripple rejection and 1 nano Volt / SQRT(HZ) @ 1kHz noise, 140 dB CMMR ... looks promising...
This looks like an interesting opamp. I like the fact that it has a decent slew rate without exagerating, can drive 600 Ohm. That 1nV looks impressive, but to really use it you'll need impedances below 100 Ohm. Don't know how good it will drive those. At anything approaching 1k you won't notice the difference with a NE5534.
No-one going to try some JE990 with it?
This looks like an interesting opamp. I like the fact that it has a decent slew rate without exagerating, can drive 600 Ohm. That 1nV looks impressive, but to really use it you'll need impedances below 100 Ohm. Don't know how good it will drive those. At anything approaching 1k you won't notice the difference with a NE5534.
No-one going to try some JE990 with it?
The AD8599 has a closed loop output impedance of 5 ohms (@ 1MHz).
Considering most folks are using the transporter or SB3 with a preamp, and on average Zin's of several K ohms, (in other words with VERY benign load impedances) I think this op amp is a fine alternative.
Of course one must look at the existing resistors in the feedback configuration w.r.t. GBW product and a bunch of other factors, but with out really digging into the data sheet and application of the stock opamp and this new one I would not endorse it just yet...it does, however remain very promising.
Regards!
The AD8599 has a closed loop output impedance of 5 ohms (@ 1MHz).
This doesn't really tell you much. You need to consider that it maybe has that impedance, but has it the current delivery capacity? If you look at the graph of distortion cs frequency for 2k and 600 Ohm then you see that it does a rather good job of driving 600 Ohm. There is far worse around.
Then if you want to use that 1nV as far as possible, you will need to lower all feedback resistors to below 100 Ohm and still be able to drive that with low distortion. These are deep waters...
http://www.referenceaudiomods.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SDTransporter&Category_Code=MODS&Product_Count=44
Personally, I'm waiting for the Ryberg Electronics mods...
watch out here.. these guys seem kinda shady
they were offering these same mods before the preorders were ever fulfilled
This is where my skeptical side takes over. How have they had the time to evaluate the stock Tranporter, let alone each of their 3 different levels of mods?
They give such details about each level. It seems unlikely to me they have had enough time to conduct extensive tests on each mod.
Their claims lead me to distrust them, I would never use their services.
watch out here.. these guys seem kinda shady
they were offering these same mods before the preorders were ever fulfilled
They also sell a $485 wooden knob. Check it out!
http://www.referenceaudiomods.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=NOB_C37_C&Category_Code=
They also sell a $485 wooden knob. Check it out!
http://www.referenceaudiomods.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=NOB_C37_C&Category_Code=
WOW! Well, the knob does have a finish and they state "The beech wood is coated several times with C37 lacquer for best sound"........I for one am a firm believer in C37, I even coated my cables with it. They sell it for only $115.00 an ounce http://www.referenceaudiomods.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=C37_22C_1OZ&Category_Code=C37&Product_Count=1 (rolls eyes)
Timothy Stockman
2007-04-17, 15:37
No-one going to try some JE990 with it?
Many years ago, I built a custom, DC coupled mixing board using John Hardy's JE990 modules. Was a bit of a challenge to deal with the low impedances and high currents, but the result sounded fantastic.
TiredLegs
2007-04-20, 19:17
They also sell a $485 wooden knob. Check it out!
http://www.referenceaudiomods.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=NOB_C37_C&Category_Code=
Unless it was diamond-encrusted solid gold, no knob could possibly be worth $485, even it is intended to go on the potentiometer for a $6000+ outboard volume control or a $9000+ amplifier. If the sound of the pot really does improve after adding the knob, wouldn't that imply there's something seriously wrong with the design of the pot?
And for an interesting analysis of the preposterous claims about C37 lacquer, see this article http://sound.westhost.com/madashell9.htm#unbelievable
i've lost the will to live.
adamslim
2007-04-21, 09:17
And for an interesting analysis of the preposterous claims about C37 lacquer, see this article http://sound.westhost.com/madashell9.htm#unbelievable
OMG - jawdropping. I consider myself quite the subjectivite, accepting that there can be some things that we can't measure but we can hear. But that is truly biscuit-taking.
Also, be sure to check out this "Interview with Dieter Ennemoser, violinmaker and audio researcher", link here: http://www.ennemoser.com/tntinterview.html. My favorite quote in the article is "And this is the naked truth: the only things I read for ten years have been Donald Duck and Clever & Smart (by F.Ibanez) Comics.". Hilarious!
haunyack
2007-05-04, 08:31
Also, be sure to check out this "Interview with Dieter Ennemoser, violinmaker and audio researcher", link here: http://www.ennemoser.com/tntinterview.html. My favorite quote in the article is "And this is the naked truth: the only things I read for ten years have been Donald Duck and Clever & Smart (by F.Ibanez) Comics.". Hilarious!
C37 lacquer...ok fine.
I'm waiting for C38a beta.
.
watch out here.. these guys seem kinda shady
they were offering these same mods before the preorders were ever fulfilled
Thanks EFP for resurrecting my quote. Saves me the trouble. Those guys are shady in the extreme.
I think their mods were posted even before they had a TP to mod.
Isn't it curious they still don't have a review?
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